Printing machine



March l, 193@I w. D. KIMBALL PRINTING MACHINE 2 sheets-sneu 1 Filed May 2, 1935 1, q1938. I W. D, K|MBA| '2,109,590'

PRINTING MACHI'NE Filed uy 2. 1955 2 sheets-sheet 2 J7 a? y J3 we;

INVENTOR ZM.; DM, 9km fm ATTORNEYS signed, it may also be used with Patented Mu. 1,1938

UNlTi-:nsTATEs Wallace D. Kimball,

Jackson Heights, N. Y., assignor to Sta'nda -Kna Pp Corporation, Long Island City, -N. Y., a corporation of New York Application May 2, 1935, Serial No. 19,375

3 Claims.

'Ihis invention relates to a printing machine and more particularly concerns improved apparatus for printing a name, label, number or other mark on the surface of a package, carton or other container. l

In the packing of articles such as canned goods, soap, cerealpackages and the like, it is desirable that a name, label or other mark be-xed to the outer carton or other wrapping. This may be most economically accomplished by-printing `the required mark directly on the outer wrapping during the packaging process. Previously known means for printing labels cr marks on packaged goods have been unsatisfactory in certain respects. Particularly in the packaging of goods in cartons, it is necessary that the printing be applied to the side walls or other vertical surfaces of the cartons or packages. -This requires a vertical type cylinder or equivalent printing means, and in the past, it has been impossible -to obtain a satisfactorily uniform distribution of ink on a vertically disposed type surface of this nature.

I'he present invention contemplates Athe provision -of an improved printing machine for use in printing labels, names or other marks on the cartons or wrappers of packaged goods. A particular object of the invention resides in the provision of printing mechanism of' this nature which is capable of rapidly printing any desired mark on vertical walls or surfaces of moving cartons or packages, and in which an even distribution of ink on the vertically disposed type surfaces is obtained with simple, reliable and inexpensive apparatus.

While my improved printing mechanism is pariticularly suitable for printing on vertical walls of cartons"boxes and the like, for which purpose no satisfactory machine. has heretofore been deadvantage for printing upon any surface regardless of the angle of the surface to the horizontal.

A further object of the invention is the provi-l sion of a carton or package handling machine embodying label printing and flap opening and closing mechanism adapt the machine to various sizes.A

In general, the above and other objects of my invention are carried out by providing a cylindrical type sector or surface rotating about a vertical axis and disposed to engage a vertical wall or surface of a moving package or carton. The type surface is inked by an inklng cylinder disposed to be engageable therewith during the rotation thereof. and an imnmvm in ramen -M-L accommodate cartons of which is readily adjustable to (ci. lor-a6) apply the ink 'uniformly to and so to the vertical type nism is employed to the inking cylinder surface.

1 The invention will be best understood by' reference to theaccompanying drawings in which a 5 typical embodiment thereof has been illustrated. In the drawings;

Figure 1 is an elevation of a carton or package handling mechanism embodying `my improved printing machine; w l0 Figure 2 is a plan'view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged plan view of the printing mechanism and the driving means therefor;

Figure 4 is an jelevation of the mechanism 15 shown in Figure 3; f

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 3 and viewed in the direction of the arrows; vand Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional' view taken 20 along the line 6-6 of Figure 4 and viewed in the direction of the arrows..4

'I'he printing mechanism of the invention has been shown applied to a carton or package handling apparatus of the type in which cartons or 25 packages 1 are continuously propelled horizon ly While various packing and marking operations are performed thereon. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the carton handling apparatus shown by way of illustration comprises an elongated frame or support portion 8 provided with parallel longitudinally extending propelling chains 9 at the opposite sides thereof and an elongated carton-carrying table I 0 between the chains 9, as shown. Suitably supported at the entrance end of the 35 frame 8 is a slightly inclined roll conveyor R comprising a plurality of oppositely disposed parallel; rollers 83 carried by suitable side members 84 and slanting downwardly toward the center of the frame, -as shown. The entrance end of the sup- 40 porting table l0.is bent downward adjacent the exit end of the roll conveyor R, as shown at n85. The propelling chains 9 are endless and passA over the sprockets Il and I2 carried respectively on the transverse shafts I-3 and I4 at the opposite 45 ends of the frame 8. The lower span of the chains 9 may be carried by idler sprockets or equivalent means I5, I6 and I1, as shown in Figure 1. The chains 9 may be continuously moved in the direction indicated by the arrows by a motor i8 or other source of power which is suitably connected as shown to drive the shaft I4 to which the chain- 'carrying sprockets l2'are fixed. Onnosfmv dieare fixed to the chains 9 at suitable intervals and A pair of parallel per guide bars 2| are disposed above the table l0 adjacent the sides thereof in positions to engage the opposite side walls 22 of the' cartons 1 as the cartonsmove along the table. The bars 2| are suitably supported by elements 23 which are horizontally adjustably carried on the cross rods 24 which in turn engage the two vertically adjustable members 25 carried by the two pairs, of vertical rods 26 xed to the frame 8 at opposite sides of the table I0. Similar parallel lower guide bars |08 are disposed above the table |0 in positions to engage theopposite side walls'of the cartons 1 near the lower edges thereof. The bars |08 are respectively supported by the members |09 which are horizontally adjustably carried on the lower cross rods |0 extending between the frame parts 19. With thisl arrangement.. the guide bars 2| may be vertically adjusted to accommodate cartons of diiferentjheight by moving the members 25 along the rods 26. Also, the guide bars 2| and |08 maybe horizontally adjusted to accommodate cartons of different widths by moving the elements 23 and |09 along the transverse cross rods 24 and ||0. The members 23, 25, and .|09 may be held in various adjusted positions by any suitable means such as the set screws 23 on the elements 23, the set screws 25 on the members 25 and the set screws |09' on the members |09.

Suitable means is provided for driving the printing mechanism in timed relation to the rate o'f movement of the carton-propelling chains 9. As shown, this means may comprise a chain or link belt 21 leading from a sprocket 28 fixed to the driven shaft |4 to a sprocket 29 connected through suitable gearing 30 to a sprocket 3|. A cross shaft 32 is suitably journaled in the members 25 and in a central member 33 carried by the cross rods,24, and a flexible driving linkage C is provided between the sprocket 3| and the shaft 32. Driving power is transmitted from the shaft 32 to a shaft 31 journaled in a bracket 64 by means of a chain 34 and the sprockets 35 and 36, as shown. The driving connections between the shaft 31 and the printing mechanism proper will be hereinafter described. The sprocket 29 drives a cross shaft 80 journaled in the lower side frame parts 19.

The cartons 1 handled by the machine disclosed are preferably of the type having side aps 8| and end-flaps 82 which fold over the top and bottom surfaces of the carton. The end flaps 82 are l preferably folded beneath the side flaps 8|, and the side flaps 8| preferably meet at the center of the carton when folded down over the end flaps 82.

Suitable cam plates are provided for opening and closing the carton side aps 8l as the cartons progress through the machine. 'I'he upper and lower flap opening cam plates 86 and 81 have entrance ends disposed to engage beneath the upper and lower carton side flaps 8| and these plates curve outwardly to-horizontal exit portions 88 andi.

89 whereby the side flaps 8| are opened and turned outwardly to horizontal positions as the cartons 1 advance. Each of the upper flap opening cam plates 86 is secured to one of the transversely adjustable members-23 and each of the lower flap opening cam plates 81 is secured to one of the transversely adjustable members 25. Thus the flap opening cam plates 86 and 81 may be adjusted transversely of the machine to accommodate cartons of different widths, and since the longitudinally extending up upper members 23 are vertically adjustable with respect to the lower members 25, the vertical distance between the cam plates 86 and 81 may be varied to accommodate cartons of different height. Upper and lwer horizontal side fiap carrying plates 90 and 9| are disposed in parallel spaced relation to the horizontal exit portions 88 and 89 respectively of the cam plates 86 and 81, and serve to carry the carton side aps 8| when in their open positions.

Any suitable adhesive applying means may be employed in conjunction with the iiap opening and closing apparatus. As shown in the drawings, the adhesive applying means `comprises cylinders 92 and 91 disposed respectively adjacent the exit ends of the upper and lower flap opening cam plates and the upper and lower flap carrying plates. As shown, the upper adhesive applying means comprises spaced cylinders 92 carried on held against the cylinders 92 by suitable arms 94 engaging the shaft 32, and are supported by lugs 95 bearing on the cross rod 24. The cylinders 92 'are preferably movable longitudinally of their driving shaft 32, and guides 96 may be provided on the transversely adjustable members 23 for moving the cylinders 92 with these members when the machine is adjusted to accommodate cartons of different widths. The lower adhesive applying cylinders 91 are similar to the upper cylinders 92 andare slidably carried on and driven by the cross shaft 80. 'I'he lower glue boxes 98 are suitably supported beneath the cylinders 91 as shown, and the cylinders 91 and glue boxes 98 are connected to move transversely of 4ly supported by the transversely adjustable guide bars I0 and members |09. The upper cam plates 99 are formed as shown to turn the upper carton side flaps 8| inwardly and close them down on the upper carton end aps 82 as the cartons leave the machine. The lower cam plates |00 are similarly formed, but the exit portions |03 thereof are disposed to carry the inwardly folded lower carton side flaps 8| below and in spaced relation to the under surface of the exit end of the table |0. AAs shown in Fig. 2, the exit portions |03'of the lower cam plates |00 extend beyond the ends of the upper cam plates 99 and act to hold up the lower carton side flaps 8| until the carton passes off the exit end of the .table |0 onto the roll conveyor |04.

A central upper plate |05 is carried by the member 33 and serves to hold the upper cartoncent the entrance end of the machine. The guide plates 38 respectively carry printing mechanisms which are of identical construction and the corresponding parts of these mechanisms are accordingly designated by like reference characters. Each printing mechanism proper is carried by a support 40 pivotally secured to the guide plate 38 by the vertical pivot 4| passing through the pivot brackets 42, as shown in Figure 5. The support 48 includes an arm 43 carrying a vertical shaft 44 journaled at the end thereof, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Adisc 46,is fixed to the shaft 44 below the arm 43 and a c/ylindrical vertically disposed type surface or sector 41 is secured to and depends from the under surface of this disc 46. As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5, the type surface 41 extends through an opening 48 in the guide plate 38 to a position slightly within the inner surface ofthe guide plate, and

also extends radially beyond the periphery of the disc 48.

The pivoted support 48 carries a substantially vertically disposed rotary inking cylinder 49 having a shaft 58 journaled in the arms 45 and 5| of the support 48 as shown in Figure 5. The inking cylinder 49 is preferably formed of a suitable metal such as steel. An inking block bracket comprising upper and lower horizontal arms 52 connected by a vertical end member 55 extends radially outward from the inking cylinder shaft 5D approximately at right angles to the supporting arms 45 and 5|, and carries an inking block 53. The inking block 53 is mounted to slide radially toward and away from the cylindrical surface of the inking cylinder 49 by means of two parallel guides 54 fixed to the opposite sides of the block 53 and extending beyond the upper and lower ends `thereof into embracing engagement with the opposite edges of the upper and lower arms 52 of the bracket. The block 53 is pressed against the surface of the inking cylinder 49 by a spring 56 compressed between the block and the inner end of an adjustable bolt 51 threaded through an opening in the end member 55 of the block bracket.

.may have a depth of approximately three thousandths of an inch whereby a very thin inking cavity is provided between the block and the inking cylinder. An ink supplying passage 59 is formed through the block 53 from the upper surface thereof toa point within the recess 58, and an ink reservoir 68 disposed above the block is connected to this ductby a pipe 6| passing through a slot 18 in the upper frame 52 of the inking block supporting bracket.

The inking cylinder 49 isparallel to the cylindrical type surface 41 and is disposed to engage with the type surface as it rotates. Suitable means are provided for rotatingthe cylindrical type surface 41 and the inking cylinder 49 at the same peripheral velocity. As shown in Figure 3, a gear train 62 is carried by a support 63 extending from the arm 45 and the gears are arranged as shown to turn the inking cylinder 49 and the cylindrical type surface 41 in oppolThe directions of rotation of peripheral velocity. the cylindrical type surface 41 and the inking cylinder 49 are indicated by the arrows in Figure 3.

The edge of the inking block 53 at which the cylindrical surface of passes under the arcuate surface of the block is preferably tapered, inwardly toward the recess 58, as shown at 16 in Figure 6. 'I'his tapered entrance edge causes the excess ink carried by the inking cylinder to crowd Aback into the ink cavity site directions lat the same the inking cylinder 49i formed by therecess 58 as the inking cylinder rotates.

Each printing mechanism is preferably springpressed inwardly toward the side walls 22 of the cartons 1 passing between the guide plates 38. To this end, anA adjustable tensioned spring 13 is connected between an extension 14 on the arm 43 and the outer surface of the guide plate 38, as shown in Figure 3. An adjustablev stop 15 is xed to the extension 14 and bears against the outer surface of the guide plate 38 to limit the movement of the arm 43 and the cylindrical type surface 41 carried thereby.

-Driving power is delivered to the printing mechanisms from the horizontal shaft 31 tothe vertical shafts 44 by a suitable flexible driving connection. As shown, each end of the shaft 31 is connected through three bevel gears 65, 66, and 61 to a hollow shaft 68 which ls supported from the shaft 31 by the universal yoke 69. A shaft 10 extends withinl and has a sliding driving connection with the shaft 68, and the far end of the shaft 18 is connected through the bevel gears 12 and a yoke 1| to the upper end of the shaft 44. The 4various driving gears and sprockets are so proportioned and arranged that the cylindrical type surfaces 41 move at a peripheral velocity equal to the rate of movement of the side surfaces 22 of the cartons advanced along the table i8.

In theA operation of the described machine, cartons 1 are delivered to the roll conveyor R by suitable means such asy a conveyor |81 and are advanced by the chains 9 and cro'ss bars 20. As each carton 1 descends the roll conveyor R, its lower side flaps 8 open out on the inwardlyslanting rolls 83.

due to the stiffness of the material from'which they are formed. The top and bottom end flaps 82 remain closed due to their engagement by the c partially closed overlying side flaps 8|.

As the carton reaches the end of the'conveyor R, the downwardly curved entrance end 85 of the table I8 passes between .the slightly open lower side aps 8| and the closed lower end flaps 82, and at the same time, the side walls of the carton pass between the guide plates 38. As the.

carton advances, the rotating type surfaces 41 print the desired labels, numbers or other marks on the `opposite side walls of the carton. The arcuate. inking cavities formed by the recesses 58 in the blocks 53 apply a layer of ink of uniform thickness to the surface of each inking cylinder 49 as it rotates, and this ink is uniformly applied to the vertically extending cylindrical type surfaces 41 as they engage the inking cylinders 49. The inking cavity formed by the recessv 58 is preferably of substantial capillary dimensions, that is, this cavity is so narrow that the ink is held therein by surface tension, and as the inking cylinder 49 rotates, a lm of ink is drawn from the inking cavity by the surfacetension between the ink andthe cylinder'surface.

slightly'and rest The upperA side flaps of the carton are also slightly open# As the carton passes beyond the printing mechanism, the vcurved rod |08 holds the upper end flaps 82 closed and the upper and lower side flaps 8| are turned outwardly to horizontal positions by the upper and lower cam plates 86 and 81. The opened side flaps are held in outwardly extending horizontal positions between the plates 90 and 9| and the exit portions 88 and 89 of the cam plates 86 and 81. Adhesive is applied to the open side flaps by the cylinders 92 and 91, and thereafter, as the carton advances, the upper and lower side flaps 8l are turned inwardly bythe cam plates 99 and |00, The upper closing cam plates 99 press the upper side flaps firmly on the closed upper end flaps, whereas the lower closing cam plates |00 hold the lower side flapsin spaced relation to the under surface of the table |0.- As the cartons leave the table |0 and fall on to the exit roll conveyor |04, the lower side flaps are rmly pressed against the. lower end flaps and the carton closing operation iscompleted.

lWith the arrangement described, the machine can bereadily adjusted to accommodate cartons of various sizes. The flap opening and closing means and the adhesive applying means can be adjusted transversely and vertically ofl the path of travel of the cartons to accommodate cartons of different widths and heights. Simultaneously with the transverse and vertical adjustment of the ap opening and closing means, the printing devices are adjusted transversely and vertically of the cartons, and these adjustments are made without interruptions or adjustments of the-ilexible driving means for the printing devices.

Although the invention has been described in connection with a single machine, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiment disclosed and that various changes, additions and omissions may be made without departing from the invention as deilned by the. appended claims, Thus the ilap opening and closing means and the adhesive applying means of the machine may take various known forms other than that disclosed, and may, for example, be of the construction disclosed in Patent No. 1,815,571, dated July 21, 1931.

I claim: 1. In printing apparatus of the character described, in combination, a cylindrical rotating type surface and means for inking said type surface comprising a rotatable inking cylinder parallel to said type surface and engageable therewith during the rotation thereof, a block having an arcuate surface in engagement with the cylindrical surface of said inking cylinder, a-shallow` arcuate recess extending across the arcuate surface of said block, spaced inwardly from the axially spaced end edges of said arcuate surface and forming a shallow arcuate ink cavity between said block and the cylindrical surface of said inking cylinder, means forrotating saidinking cylinder, the edge of said recess at which the cylindricalsurface of said inking cylinder passes under said arcuate recess being tapered inwardly toward said recess and means for rotating said type surface at the same peripheral speed as the cylindrical surface of said inking cylinder.

2. In a printing apparatus of the character described, in combination, a cylindrical rotating type surface and means for inking'said type surface comprising -a rotary inking. cylinder parallel to said type surface and engageabie therewith during the rotation thereof, a stationary block having arcuate surfaced extensions adjacent the opposite ends thereof engaging and extending circumferentially about the cylindrical surface of said inking cylinder adjacent the respective ends thereof, said block having between said extensions an arcuate surface lying substantially parallel and closely adjacent to the cylindricalsurface of said inking cylinder, said extensions and said arcuate surface forming an arcuate ink cavityV between said block and said inking cylinder, and means for supplying ink to said recess.

3. In a printing apparatus of the character described, in combination, a cylindrical rotating type surface and means for inking said type surface comprising a rotary inking cylinder parallel to-said type surface and engageable therewithvduring the rotation thereof; a stationary block having arcuate surfaced extensions adjacent the opposite ends thereof engaging and extending circumferentially about the cylindrical surface of said inking cylinder adjacent the respective ends thereof, said block having between said extensions an arcuate surface lying substantially parallel and closely adjacent to the cylindrical surface of said inking cylinder, said extensions and said arcuate surface forming an arcuate ink cavity between said block and'said y inking cylinder, means for supplying ink to said recess and means for moving a carton wall in tangential engagement with said rotating cylindrical type surface.

WALLACE D. KIMBALL. 

